Picayune Item & The Poplarville Democrat
Wednesday, December 2, 2020; Thursday, December 3, 2020 • 1B
Football 2020
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Poplarville ready to bring home a championship By Jonathan Mitchell Picayune Item
The Poplarville Hornets varsity football team is one win away from being named 4A state champions after defeating Mendenhall 35-6 last week. Poplarville was helped by strong performances from the team’s three main running backs, Greg Swann, DJ Richardbey and Tyron Holston. The trio has been key to Poplarville’s success offensively this season, running behind a dominant offensive line. It took a couple games for the Hornets to find a rhythm, but the team has now won 10 straight games. “We started off 0-3. We played some good opponents in our first three games, but we’ve gotten better each and every week. Offensively we’re playing at a high level right now and we’ve
been playing good defense, too,” Poplarville Head Coach Jay Beech said. Poplarville hasn’t let the unusual circumstances of a pandemic distract them from the ultimate goal, winning a state championship. Not only has preparation and performance been key for Poplarville, but Beech said the community’s impact couldn’t be understated when it comes to this season’s success. “We have a very strong following here in Poplarville. This community loves football and I’m blessed to be the coach of this team. Our kids feel it every Friday night and it’s just a pleasure,” Beech said. Poplarville has defeated every opponent in the playoffs and will now have to take on a 13-1 Louisville Wildcats team in the state championship game. Louisville is on a long win streak of its own, up to 12 games
now, and the Wildcats will serve as the Hornets’ final obstacle in claiming a state championship. “We have a great opponent we’re playing. They are a wellcoached team. They have a great defense and force you to make mistakes, and if you do make a mistake they make you pay for it,” Beech said. Beech and the Hornets have made it to the state championship a number of times, including last year when the Hornets lost to Corinth 55-21. Poplarville knows how special it is to be in this position, just one win away from being named state champions. “It’s not easy and we’re thankful for it. We know it’s a special time to come to Jackson and we’re going to do our best,” Beech said. The game will be played at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson on Saturday Dec. 5. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
Jonathan Mitchell | Picayune Item
IN THE RAIN: Running back Greg Swann prepares for a hand off from quarterback Matt Will. Swann had 101 yards and two touchdowns against Mendenhall.
Jonathan Mitchell | Picayune Item
GOAL LINE: Running back DJ Richardbey forces his way towards the end zone as a defender tries to bring him down. Richardbey had 109 yards, SLIPPERY CONDITIONS: Tight end Khalid Moore tries to catch a pass in the end zone for the Hornets against Mendenhall. a touchdown and a two-point conversion against the Tigers.
Poplarville’s 2020 Schedule 9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20 11/27 12/5
7:00 p.m. - Jefferson Davis County L (13-6) 7:00 p.m. - D’Iberville L (21-14) 7:00 p.m. - @ Picayune L (31-21) 7:00 p.m. - @ St. Stanislaus W (27-7) 7:00 p.m. - Forrest County Agricultural* W (69-8) 7:00 p.m. - Stone County* W (42-20) 7:00 p.m. - Purvis* W (35-7) 7:00 p.m. - @ Greene County* W (48-7) 7:00 p.m. - @ Sumrall* W (12-0) 7:00 p.m. - Florence W (62-17) 7:00 p.m. - South Pike W (27-6) 7:00 p.m. - @ North Pike W (62-6) 7:00 p.m. - Mendenhall W (35-6) 11:00 a.m. - Louisville
District Game = *
Make Your Pick...
NISSAN
Jonathan Mitchell | Picayune Item
Hornets 2020 Roster # Name 2 Maurice Travis 3 Corey Burt 4 Dontae Buckley 5 Torry Polk 7 Khalid Moore 8 Tyron Holston 9 Quan Huderson 10 Edward Jordan 11 Alex Creel 13 Quentin Baker 14 Avan Jarvis 15 Jamaya Henry 16 Greg Swann 17 Matt Will 18 Kade Chambliss 19 Riley Passman 21 Ahmad Harmon 22 Mark Will 23 Hunter Martin
Pos. SS, TB CB, WB CB, WR RB, CB OLB, DE SS, RB TB, DB LB DB, WB DB FB, LB CB, TB FB, MLB QB, DE TE QB, FS OLB, RB OLB, RB LB, FB
Gr. So So Sr Sr Jr Jr So Jr Jr Sr So Sr Sr So Jr Jr Jr So Sr
# Name 26 DJ Richardbey 27 Trey Knight 28 Levi Jones 29 Vance Culpepper 30 Travian Wilcox 31 Gavin Crawford 32 Mason Anderson 34 Aden Dedeaux 35 Zach Carpenter 36 Skyler Nobles 41 Hagen Hall 42 Andrew Travis Smith 42 Tyke Smith 42 Tucker Smith 50 Nakiel Trotter 51 Logan Culpepper 52 Dylan Peterson 53 Mason Wheat 54 Scott Jerrell
Pos. FB, RB DB TE, DE WR, DB ILB DB LB DE K DE SS TE OLB DE, TE DT G, DT G, DE C, DT DT
Gr. Jr Jr So Jr So So Sr Fr Jr Jr Sr Sr Fr So So Jr Jr Jr Fr
# Name 55 Hunter Benefield 56 Tyler Knight 59 William Harry 61 Blake Gibson 65 Brennon Goodwin 66 Landon Foil 68 Kane Edwards 71 Heath Howell 74 Wesley Minga 75 James Pierce 76 Seth Ladner 77 Chase Daire 78 Conner Davis 80 Preston Stuart 87 Kyle Blanchard 88 Braxton Conerly 89 Jaden Holden 99 Semaj Young
Pos. G, SS G G, DE C DT DT, G OT OT, DT DT T, DT T DT DT K DB WR DB, WR DT
Make your pick...
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